Galway Graffiti

Irish Times

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Queen attends 'garden party'


EOIN BURKE-KENNEDY

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip attended an indoor garden party and concert at the Convention Centre in Dublin tonight on the third day of their State visit.



The royal couple’s final public engagement in the capital was hosted by the British embassy as a "return event" which the visiting country hosts during state visits.

The event, organised by Docklands entrepreneur Harry Crosbie with Riverdance founder John McColgan acting as artistic director, was designed to showcase the best in Irish music and culture.

It was attended by President Mary McAleese and her husband Martin McAleese together with some 2,000 guests drawn from the worlds of fashion, sport, business politics and entertainment.




In contrast to the formal ceremonies of the previous two days, the royals were treated to a festive occasion which included music from the Chieftains, Westlife, X-Factor contestant Mary Byrne, 1996 Eurovision Song Contest winner Eimear Quinn and the National Symphony Orchestra.

There was also a fashion show of established and up-and-coming British and Irish designers, including John Rocha, Louise Kennedy, Michael Leong and Victoria Beckham.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny and his wife Fionnula were also present, as were former taoisigh Bertie Ahern, John Bruton and Albert Reynolds, along with British foreign secretary William Hague and the British ambassador to Ireland, Julian King.

Mr Ahern arrived with his daughter, Georgina Ahern.



There was a decidedly eclectic mix of people at the event with one-time Formula One boss Eddie Jordan rubbing shoulders with businessman Denis O’Brien, theatre director Garry Hynes and writer Colm Tóibín.



Also attending were Jedward’s manager Louis Walsh, broadcasters Gráinne and Síle Seoige, film-maker Gerald Heffernan and magazine publisher Norah Casey.

Newly elected Senator and hospital consultant John Crown attended as did Independent TD Shane Ross.

The Catholic primate Cardinal Seán Brady, who recently attended the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in London’s Westminster Abbey, was also there




alongside former president Mary Robinson and the chief executive of children’s charity Barnardos, Fergus Finlay.

From the world of sport, former world snooker champion Ken Doherty attended together with rugby star Keith Wood and Kilkenny hurler Henry Shefflin.

Guests at the event, which was compered by Gay Byrne, also head a specially commissioned fanfare composed in honour of the Queen by musician Brian Byrne.

Speaking before the event, John McColgan said: “When we were asked to do this, we thought we would put our best foot forward and try and put together a combination of Ireland’s best across the spectrum.”

Everything in the musical programme has been composed by Irish composers from U2 to Brendan Grahaiti and Seán Ó Riada, he said.

Earlier, Queen Elizabeth visited the National Stud in Co Kildare on the third day of her historic State visit.



Following the high-profile engagements of the last two days, the Queen had a more low-key itinerary today with just two public engagements.

Nevertheless, gardaí have advised the public to expect further delays across the capital to facilitate security surrounding the royal entourage, with a large number of roads closures and diversions in place.

As an ardent racing fan who has owned many champion horses, the Queen had expressed an interest in visiting the National Stud and its prized stallions in the preparations for her visit.

During a tour of the stud, the Queen met representatives of the Irish racing industry, including top trainers Jessica Harrington and Willie Mullins, and champion jockey Johnny Murtagh.

The stud’s most valuable sire, Invincible Spirit, whose first set of progeny set a world-record of 35 individual two-year-old winners, was paraded in front of the monarch.




The chairman of the board of Irish Racing Board, Chryss O'Reilly, thanked the Queen for visiting the stud and for her "gracious support for Irish racing". The Queen also unveiled a sculpture dedicated to the champion thoroughbred racehorse Sea The Stars, designed by artist Anthony Scott.

Minister for Health James Reilly and Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney were also in attendance.

Afterwards, the Queen left for a private lunch at Gilltown Stud near Kilcullen, Co Kildare, which is owned by the Aga Khan.

The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, today attended a reception at Farmleigh with members of Gaisce – the President’s award.

Last night, the Queen made a historic speech on Anglo-Irish relations at State dinner in her honour at Dublin Castle. She spoke of the painful legacy of history that affects Ireland and Britain, but said that while people should bow to the past, they should not be bound by it.

The Queen said it was impossible to ignore the weight of history. “Indeed so much of this visit reminds us of the complexity of our history, its many layers and traditions, but also the importance of forbearance and conciliation; being able to bow to the past but not being bound by it.

“It is a sad and regrettable reality that through history our two islands have experienced more than their fair share of heartache, turbulence and loss. The events have touched us all, many of us personally, and are a painful legacy. We can never forget those who have died or been injured, or their families.”

The Queen extended her “sincere thoughts and deep sympathy” to all who had suffered as a consequence of the troubled past. With the benefit of historical hindsight we can all see things we wish had been done differently or not at all,




but it is also true that no one who looked into the future over the past centuries could have imagined the strength of the bonds that are now in place between the governments and the people of our two nations.”

Queen Elizabeth began her short speech in Irish saying: “A Uachtaráin agus a chairde,” which drew a round of applause from the guests.

She said she and her husband, Prince Philip, were delighted to be here to “experience at first hand Ireland’s world famous hospitality”. England and Ireland were so much more than just neighbours; they were firm friends and equal partners.

The Queen referred to the ceremony at Messines, in Belgium, in 1998, when she and President McAleese dedicated a tower to the memory of the Irish soldiers who died in the first World War. She also pointed to the successful establishment of a powersharing administration in Northern Ireland, and applauded the work of all those involved in the peace process.

“What were once hopes for the future have now come to pass,” she said.

The Queen was responding to a speech by President McAleese, who said the visit was the culmination of the success of the peace process. It was an acknowledgement that, although none of us can change the past, we can change the future, she said.

“It is only right that on this historic visit we should reflect on the difficult centuries which have brought us to this point. Inevitably where there are the colonisers and the colonised, the past is a repository of sources of bitter division,” Mrs McAleese said.

“The harsh facts cannot be altered, nor loss nor grief erased, but with time and generosity, interpretations and perspectives can soften and open up space for new accommodations."

There were 172 guests at the dinner, including figures from the worlds of politics, sport, the arts and religion. British prime minister David Cameron was there, as were Northern First Minister Peter Robinson and his wife, Iris, who had not been seen in public for more than a year, following a controversy over her private life.


The Irish Times - Thursday, May 19, 2011

GAA says Croke Park visit honours association


DEAGLÁN de BRÉADÚN and ÉANNA Ó CAOLLAÍ

THE GAA had consistently supported and promoted the Northern Ireland peace process, GAA president Christy Cooney told Queen Elizabeth on her visit to Croke Park yesterday.

Referring indirectly to the Bloody Sunday shootings at Croke Park in 1920 when 14 persons were shot dead by British forces, he said it was one of many tragedies in the history of the Anglo-Irish relationship.

“In our shared history there have been many tragic events which have inflicted hurt on us all.

“While acknowledging the significance of the past and honouring all those that have lost their lives, including those that died in this place, the GAA has consistently supported and helped advance the peace process in Northern Ireland.”

In particular, he said, the association had “encouraged the reconciliation and mutual understanding which have so successfully flowed from the Good Friday agreement and its endorsement in referendums”.

He added: “Your Majesty’s state visit, at the invitation of President McAleese, will result in a further important underpinning and advancement of this process, which I firmly believe is now irreversible,” Mr Cooney said.

The GAA president told the Queen that last month he had attended “the tragic funeral of our murdered young member from Co Tyrone, PSNI constable Ronan Kerr”.

However, he added that he was “very heartened by the utter and united determination of people and political leaders across the island, and across the whole community, to stand together against violence and hatred”.

The GAA, for its part, would “continue to try and build new relationships and to reach out in particular to members of the unionist community”.

“Today above all it is in a positive spirit that we welcome your majesty and your royal highness to Croke Park. Your presence does honour to our association, to its special place in Irish life, and to its hundreds of thousands of members. Today will go down in the history of the Gaelic Athletic Association,” Mr Cooney said.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh met GAA players from different counties: Tipperary hurlers Lar Corbett and Pádraic Maher; Meath footballer Joe Sheridan; and Dublin footballer Kevin Nolan.

The Abbeyknockmoy Set Dancers from Co Galway performed for the royal couple, who were accompanied by President Mary McAleese and Dr Martin McAleese.

Sitting on the sideline in front of the Hogan Stand the visiting party watched a video about the history of the GAA on the public screens and were treated to a performance of Wim Laseroms’s musical composition Play Away by the Artane Band.

The visitors were shown the Sam Maguire cup for the all-Ireland football champions and the Liam McCarthy cup for the all-Ireland hurling winners, as well as a collection of the sporting medals of the late taoiseach and Cork GAA star Jack Lynch.

Asked to comment on reports that some Northern counties had boycotted the event, a GAA representative said: “I don’t have a checklist of who turned up and who didn’t.”




However, the GAA said that Ulster GAA chairman Aoghan Ó Fearghail had been in attendance. “We didn’t keep a list.”

A spokesman for Co Derry said their representative was not present, but refused to comment any further than to say that a member of Derry County Board was in attendance but only in his capacity as a member of the Croke Park management committee.



Counties Tyrone and Armagh also confirmed they did not have representatives present.

An official from Tyrone said his county did not receive an invitation from GAA headquarters.

A spokesman for Co Armagh said he was “not aware” of any invitation, and said the matter had not even been discussed by the county board.




Fermanagh’s representative was unable to attend due to work commitments, while representatives from Down and Antrim could not be reached for comment.

A GAA spokesman said invitations were extended to all delegates on the central council, a committee consisting of representatives of county boards, and he said all counties would have received an invitation.

Asked if it were the case that an Ulster footballer had refused to meet the Queen, the GAA said the group was chosen in co-operation with the Gaelic Players’ Association and was “selected on availability”.



“Some players may not have been able to attend because of reasons of work, travel or logistics,” the spokesman said.

Among those attending the function at Croke Park were British foreign secretary William Hague, Minister for Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Jimmy Deenihan TD and Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Michael Ring.

Also present were British ambassador to Ireland Julian King, Irish Ambassador to Britain Bobby McDonagh, and senior officials and former presidents of the GAA, including Seán Kelly MEP.


The Irish Times - Thursday, May 19, 2011

Symbolism hard to resist as Queen views Hill 16 on visit to Croke Park


The royal party went up to the Hogan Stand, named after the Tipperary hurler murdered on the first Bloody Sunday, writes MIRIAM LORD

THE QUEEN came to Croker and we feared for Her Majesty’s safety.

A petite 85-year-old woman walking through the Croke Park players’ tunnel in the company of legendary Kerry hard man Jimmy Deenihan. With five All-Ireland medals under his belt, he isn’t afraid of a ring of steel.

It may be 30 years since Jimmy, now a Government Minister, last made that adrenalin-fuelled journey from dressing room to pitch, but they say the feeling never leaves you. As he made his way towards the beckoning light with the Queen of England walking a few stately paces ahead, anything could have happened.

Luckily, Minister of State Michael Ring was also present.

“I said to him, I said ‘Now Jimmy, don’t get yourself worked up. Hold back! You’re not playing this time’.” With the royal visit going so well, the last thing anyone wanted to see was defender Deenihan bursting from the tunnel in a whirl of flying hats and bunny hops. But he contained himself and became part of yet another historic occasion on the Croke Park turf.

Above in the Hogan Stand, the great and the good of the Gaelic Athletic Association gathered. When they looked down, they saw Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip and ladies in waiting taking up position on the sideline.

And when they looked up, they might have expected to see pigs flying in squadron formation over Jones Road. But this wasn’t make-believe.

Mrs Windsor, with these historic moments, you really are spoiling us. The symbolism. Oh, the symbolism. Who could have imagined so much of it could be crammed into such a short space of time. It was all so relaxed and easy you could have been fooled into thinking that it was just another glitzy corporate reception on the second level of the hallowed stand. Yet it was the Queen of England in the cradle of the GAA, an honoured guest at the happiest of occasions when the talk was of reconciliation and the unifying balm of sport.

As GAA president Christy Cooney pointed out to Her Majesty, the movement “constantly embodied the mood of the nation: culturally, socially and politically.” And for many fraught and fractious decades, that mood was very much set against an English monarch.

But here was one, stepping into the light, shoulder to shoulder with the President of Ireland as the Artane Band played and the ghosts of Hill 16 breathed silent benediction. The Queen, seated near the dugout, turned to watch a short video on the history of the GAA. She faced into Hill 16, where 14 people were murdered by Crown forces in 1920.

Then the royal party went up to the Hogan Stand, named after one of the Tipperary hurlers murdered on that day which became the first Bloody Sunday.




There was little mention of that tortured history – no real need, as Her Majesty’s presence, and her actions over the previous 24 hours, spoke for her. It was a joyous occasion, the welcome warm and sincere.

When the visitors emerged from the lift, they saw young Irish set dancers clattering the floor with infectious brio. The Queen burst into a big smile.

With Mary McAleese by her side – this visit has been a triumph for her – the Queen made her way down the line of GAA officials and club members. Former president Nicky Brennan of Kilkenny, clasped Her Majesty warmly by the elbow. In seconds the royal security had pounced and firmly removed the hurler’s hand from the monarch’s arm.

Even before the Queen arrived in the room, The Irish Times got carried away by the occasion and committed an illegal laying on of hands. With the collusion of former GAA president, MEP Sean Kelly, this reporter fondled the Sam Maguire cup, which was resting on a table with the Liam McCarthy cup and a large board from the GAA museum holding the medals won by the late Jack Lynch. Giddy with symbolism, The Irish Times punched the air and cried “Up the Dubs!” belting Jack’s medals in the process and sending the entire collection clattering to the floor.

As the Queen exited the pitch, a dozen officials were on their hands and knees retrieving them.

But it was that sort of day.

“There’s Willum Hague!” exclaimed a man from Cork as the British foreign secretary ambled past. One woman made an effort and wore a fancy hat.

Then someone told us the Queen had brought her dresser to Ireland, which certainly trumped all those stories that she never travels anywhere without the royal toilet seat.

Where is it? In Farmleigh? No. The Queen’s dresser was the woman wearing the hat.

Prince Philip was given a hurley and a sliotar. He seemed chuffed.

But not as chuffed as Minister Ring, who was introduced on RTÉ television as “Christy Ring”. Meanwhile, Jimmy Deenihan said it was a great honour to be with the Queen in Croker.

But which was the best – this watershed moment in history or winning five all-Ireland’s for Kerry? “There’s no comparison there. Lifting the Sam Maguire would have been bigger for me than anything, and that would include Obama.”

When word reached us that Meath player Joe Sheridan had met the Queen in the dressing room, the jokes began to fly. The Royal county’s Sheridan was the man who “fell” across the goal-line in the Leinster final, depriving Louth of the title.



A statement was issued by an anonymous spokesperson.



“For those of us who love the GAA, today is a step too far. At the site of the single greatest injustice in our history, to invite those responsible back to the scene of the crime is galling. Some will say it is time for neighbours to forget the past, but the sight of the royals out on that pitch, surrounded by gardaí, will only open old wounds.

It was never an effin’ goal and Louth won Leinster fair and square!” One out of two atrocities atoned for in the one day.

That’s not bad.